Have you ever met a character in a game, and realized that they aren’t just following a script? They are thinking and reacting to your actions, in-game, providing an adaptive gaming environment that goes far beyond simple flow-chart dialogue. If so, you’ve experienced AI and machine learning in action. Game developers are using AI and ML in a multitude of ways, to create characters that are capable of thinking and learning as you play.
AI-Driven NPCs
AI-driven NPCs are programmed with certain behavioral patterns. This could include actions, responses, decision-making, tactics and even combat moves. Advanced AI systems also empower NPCs so that they can react to real-time game conditions, as well as player actions. They can respond to strategies, and make gameplay more challenging based on how well the player is doing. It’s not just first-person shooters and RPGs that embrace this kind of tech though. Casino games do too, in fact, AI is prominent in digital poker games. When you learn about poker, you’ll soon see that bluffing is an integral part of the game. AI ensures a level of fairness here while ensuring that digitally-created players respond in a human way, to the point where it feels like a real poker game.
Navigating Digital Worlds
That’s not all though. They are also capable of navigating complex game environments. High-tech AI algorithms help NPCs cross or avoid obstacles, aiding them in reaching their destination while actively reacting to the player. AI and ML can even keep weather data to predict future weather patterns so that players can take advantage of natural conditions such as sunny days, fog, clear skies, heat, ice and rain. ML models can even simulate snowflakes, cloud formations and more, with high fidelity. Humidity, temperature, wind speed and other conditions are used to create hyper-realistic weather effects, and yet, this is only the beginning. Developers build on this, by making in-game buildings darken as it rains, or by making flags blow in the direction of the wind. AI is the foundation of modern gaming as we know it, and it’s helping to blaze a path that is impossible to predict, yet easy to be excited for.
Graphic Rendering
AI sports numerous scaling techniques, using machine learning to upscale low-resolution images in real time. The result of this is games that can maintain high frame rates while providing visually sharp and striking images, which help with player engagement. Machine learning can also improvise textures and convert them into quality representations of low-resolution originals. The conversion minimizes memory usage while enhancing fidelity. With adaptive shading, this helps to boost performance without compromising visual quality. ML can even predict future frames, adjusting rendering accordingly.
With machine learning and artificial intelligence changing the way games are made, it’s also changing the way games are played. Gaming has a bright future, and if this kind of technology continues to be embraced, there’s no telling what kind of games we will see in the future. With the integration of VR as well, it’s safe to say that interesting times are ahead.
